Paterson Progress Association ­published a notice in community newsletter The Paterson Psst recently backing calls for a fixed speed camera to be installed in the town’s main ­thoroughfare.

It noted that it had become a regular occurrence to see vehicles travel through Paterson at speeds in excess of 70km/h in the 50km/h speed zone.

“This is a blatant disregard of the posted 50 zoning and the safety and wellbeing of the community in ­general,” the PPA noted.

“It only takes a little courtesy to respect the locals who live along the busy route and, of course, commonsense in obeying the law.”

Read what the Mercury has to say here

The issue has been raised with Dungog Shire Council and referred to the shire’s traffic committee.

“The Paterson Progress Association is prepared to back such a proposal if motorists continue to ignore the speed signs and peaceful ambience of the ­village,” the PPA’s notice read.

PPA representatives were unavailable to speak to the Mercury before publication on Tuesday.

However the Mercury contacted several Paterson businesses and asked whether they thought speeding was a problem in the village.

While no business owners were willing to speak publicly about the issue, they agreed that speeding ­vehicles, particularly trucks, presented a problem in Paterson and that a ­permanent traffic camera would help make the town’s roads safer.

According to the Transport for NSW Centre for Road Safety, annual reviews of fixed speed cameras show that they are effective in reducing crash rates and fatalities on the state’s roads.

The 2014 review showed that, of the 95 fixed speed cameras in NSW, 93 were effective.

There was a 90 per cent reduction in fatalities, 42 per cent fewer crashes and a 40 per cent drop in road crash injuries across the 93 sites.